The game can be played by any number of players, up to 10.  3-8 players works really well.

 

OBJECTIVE

The idea of the game is for a player to get 8 cards in chronological order in their personal timeline on the table in front of them.

 

START

Each player starts with one card in front of them face up.  This is the start of their “timeline”.  The remaining cards are face down in a draw pile.

 

ORDER OF PLAY

The first person draws the top card from the pile and reads the event on it to the player to their immediate left.  Play proceeds around the table, one card at a time, in a clockwise manner.

 

EACH TURN

The “reader” reads the event to the “player” who must guess where that event would fit on his/her timeline.  The first time it would just be “before” or “after” the start card.  Subsequent times it would be “at the beginning”; “between these 2 cards”; or “at the end”.  If the first player guesses correctly, the card is placed in the proper position on their timeline.

 

If the player guesses incorrectly, the player to their left gets a chance to guess on their own timeline.  The opportunity to guess could go all the way around the table to the last player to the right of the reader.  (In other words, it’s possible for a card to be guessed by all players except the reader.)  If no one answers it correctly by then, it is put at the bottom of the draw pile. (With several players that doesn’t usually happen, since each player gets to see what the incorrect guesses ahead of them are, each time narrowing the possibilities.)

         

GAME ENDS

The game is over when one player has 8 cards in a row in their timeline.

 

VARIATIONS

1.         For a faster game, a goal number of less than 8 could be set at the beginning of the game.

2.         Have the oldest person read all the cards instead of playing.

3.         Play with teams of 2 or more.

4.         For a more challenging game, play for more cards required in the timeline.

 

 

RECOMMENDATIONS

For reinforcing learning, it’s a good idea to have each “reader” announce the date as they award the card to a player.

 

We have included several blank cards so that you may add your own dates/events to the game.

 

A timeline is included with the dates we’ve used.  Students reviewing it before and/or after games will reinforce their knowledge of statehood history.

 

 

Note:  If you discover any “critical dates” we’ve left out, feel free to let us know.  We may include them in future editions.